BY OSITA BIOSE
HOWEVER, the number one teacher in Delta State, and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers’, Comrade Poubeni Dickson stole the show for the day, when he said, “Teachers’ are no less humans, they deserve respect, better welfare.
As the brand new Chairman of the Delta State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), he exudes leadership confidence, focus and determination towards rebranding the NUT for a better teaching profession in the State.
In his words: “My desire is to organize, strengthen and rebuild the NUT, oil giving it a different shape and a new look to make it better. We’ll build on the successes of our predecessors while introducing new initiatives. The NUT fights for the rights and welfare of teachers, and we’ll continue to do so.
“One major challenge facing teachers in the State is the level 14 ceiling for university graduates in primary schools. Since the NUT fights for fair treatment and better working conditions for teachers, we’ll work with the government to address this.”
On the plans to improve teachers’ welfare and working conditions, Comrade Poubeni said, the Union will be more involved in dialoguing with the government to reward teachers adequately, provide health insurance schemes, and introduce hazard allowance, wardrobe allowance, difficult terrain allowance, and rural allowance. The NUT, he added, fights for the welfare of teachers, and it will ensure that their voices are heard.
On his thoughts about teachers’ rewards, he has this to say: “I strongly believe that teachers shouldn’t just be told their reward is in heaven. Teachers are human beings who deserve to be well-remunerated, just like their counterparts in other professions. The NUT under my watch, will continue to fight for fair compensation and benefits for teachers”.
On the general perception of the society about teachers, Comrade Poubeni says, teachers should be accorded the respect they deserve. “We mould the future leaders, journalists, captains of industries, soldiers, engineers, and more. We’re not just molders of character, and also parents to our students. The NUT fights for the respect and dignity of teachers.
But he did not essitate tell of the relationship between teachers and parents, as he said, “Teacher’s relationship with parent’s in Dela State is very cordial. We’re trying to educate parents to understand that teachers are also parents to their children. We’re not adversaries, but partners in shaping the future of our children”.
However, reacting to how teachers in Delta State adapt to the changing world, he said, “The world is dynamic, and teachers must change with the tides. In Delta State, we’re constantly training and retraining our teachers to meet the demands of the digital world, including ICT, crime prevention and correction.
On the relationship between teachers and government in the State, he says: “We partner with government and other stakeholders to achieve the best for our pupils/students. The NUT fights for the rights and interests of teachers, and we’ll continue to work with the government to ensure that education is prioritized.
